J&A Concrete continues to grow and expand its services thanks in part to support from Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS). Through startup inventory assistance, business guidance, and ongoing support, LLFS helped the company strengthen operations, create employment opportunities, and build confidence for future growth within the community.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) received a $10,000 grant award from the Initiative Foundation to support one-on-one financial coaching services in Cass Lake. The funding helps LLFS provide personalized budgeting guidance, financial goal planning, and credit-building support designed to strengthen long-term financial stability within the community.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) is now a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, offering free tax preparation services to qualified individuals in the community. IRS-certified volunteers Rob and Lynn provide basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing to help community members access trusted, no-cost tax support.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) received grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the USDA Rural Business Development Grant program to support the development of business incubation spaces and expanded entrepreneurship training opportunities. The funding helps LLFS strengthen small business support services and provide accessible business education programs for the Cass Lake community.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) is grateful to the Northwest Area Foundation for its generous 2019 Operations Grant award. The funding has helped LLFS continue providing financial education, community programming, and essential services that support financial capability and economic opportunity throughout the Cass Lake community.
Pam and Lynn of Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) attended the Above Board: Compliance, Legal, and Financial Best Practices conference in Arizona through full scholarships provided by the CDFI Fund. The conference gave LLFS the opportunity to connect with and learn from CDFIs across the country while strengthening its knowledge of industry best practices, compliance, and mission-driven financial services.
Robert H. Aitken, Executive Director of Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS), attended the Native CDFI Network Summit in Washington, D.C., joining Native CDFI leaders from across the country to help shape policies that support economic growth and financial opportunity in Indian Country. The summit provided an opportunity to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and advance the future of Native-led financial institutions.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) is grateful to the Otto Bremer Trust for its 2019 Community Asset Building Grant award of $50,000. This funding has helped support small business development, financial education programs, and community-focused services that strengthen economic opportunity throughout the Leech Lake Reservation community.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) was created to expand access to affordable lending, financial education, and economic opportunity within the Leech Lake community. As LLFS pursued certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the organization continued building programs that help individuals strengthen credit, access capital, and create long-term financial stability.
Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS) has officially become an approved credit reporter to Equifax, expanding the positive impact its loan programs can have on clients’ credit histories. Combined with its existing TransUnion reporting, this milestone strengthens LLFS’s ability to help community members build and improve credit both locally and nationally.